Thank you to the new kid on the block - on busy Route 46 East, that is. Daughter Stefanie and me visited the new West Essex Diner (516 Route 46, Fairfield, 973-227-0508) for a late afternoon lunch, and were very pleased with the service - thank you, Jennifer! -- and food quality. I lately at diners have been ordering standard Garden State fare: an egg sandwich with cheese, with my option of meats. This time, I selected link pork sausage to go with my scrambled egg and American combination ($6.00). Stefanie opted for a Primo Presto Panini with French fries ($11.00), which tasted every good as it looks here. West Essex Diner is located on a major highway, which is a plus, but it is also located near Routes 23, 80, and 287, as well main roads like Bloomfield and Passaic Avenues. Therefore, if afforded the opportunity to suggest a diner to visit, head to the new place and say hi to the friendly folks at West Essex Diner.
Steve
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Memories of an old eatery, and a super (emphasis on "super") tuna melt! Welcome to the recently-renovated Paul's Diner (320 Route 46 East, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, 973-627-4436, www.paulsfamilydiner.com). "Where are you folks from?" asks Steve, our server. "Bloomfield," I answer. "Bloomfield? What are you doing all the way out here?" After my explanation, he responds, "My Dad used to own a restaurant in Clifton: the Red Chimney." Wow...the Red Chimney?! Talk about memories. Back then, it was "Great food within walking distance" stuff! Okay, back to Paul's Diner, and what makes this great place such a find and worth a visit. Yes, you have Steve and the other servers, the cleanliness of the restaurant, the free, miniature chocolate chip cookies near the register (yes, you read that right. Memo to ownership: hide them when I visit next time.), and great food. Before I get to the (in my opinion) the highlight, feast your eyes on my medium rare cheeseburger deluxe ($10.50). This was one, very good burger. Now, to what gets my current vote as best tuna melt ($11.95) since the genesis of the "From My Seat" blog. This photo doesn't do the sandwich true justice. But the below photo might - my lovely wife feasting on it. Overall, a great, late Saturday evening dining experience.
Thank you, Steve. We'll see you and the rest of the folks at Paul's Diner again soon. Steve It's nice when you have a friend who knows a great local restaurant with super food. Me and my good friends and former co-workers, Russ and Ron, met at an eatery Russ had in the past highly sung the praises of, Anthony Francos Ristorante & Pizzeria (60 Beaver Brook Road, Lincoln Park, New Jersey, 973-696-0708, www.AFPizza.com). Bethany was our extremely pleasant server during our visit, patient and pleasant even though saddled with quite a few tables. She was very engaging with our good natured banter. Ron and me ordered manicotti and baked ziti bolognese respectively (each priced at $10.00). I'm not sure who finished off our entree first, but I know the conversation of good friends who hadn't seen each other for a good period made the food last longer - a difficult thing in this case, because the kitchen folks prepared these meals perfectly. Let's just say they were savored, and in a very good way. Pretty appetizing, yes?
So, visit Anthony Francos Ristorante & Pizzeria today (or soon) and tell Bethany we sent you.
Steve Delicious burgers and over-the-top Boardwalk fries, anyone? If "Yes!", then head over to Public House 46 (1081 Route 46, Clifton, New Jersey, 973-473-8184, www.publichuse46.com). While there, in addition to feasting on the burgers and fries -- and yes, they are really good! -- ask for and say hello to Heather, who graciously greeted and served Lucille and me during a recent lunchtime excursion. Below (left to right) are both the French dip and Mustang burgers (each $13.00). As previously mentioned, these were super. I must confess, though, that as good as the burgers were, the fries stole the show. It made this standard pairing beyond standard quality-wise.
So, this short-but-sweet post encourages you to pay a visit to this comfortable spot off of Route 46 east. Thanks Heather, and thank you Public House 46. Steve Richie has been a server with Montville Diner (4 Route 46 West, Pinebrook, New Jersey, 973-575-0326) for 23 years. What was for years a second job for him has turned into his only job in retirement. The Sears family met him when we dined post-Sunday evening Mass at a popular diner that has become a mainstay in northern New Jersey, and he served us with great kindness. We could tell that he truly enjoys what he does, and always has. Lucille selected a tuna melt minus tomato ($10.95) and Stefanie fried chicken in a basket, the latter served with both onion rings, French fries, and soup ($14.95). I, however, chose the "All-New Jersey" sandwich: Taylor ham and cheese on roll with scrambled egg ($4.95), which the Montville Diner does (and always has done) very well. The sandwich was so good, I felt it deserved a full shot.
The Montville Diner has been a round for a while, its decor inviting - and so is the service. Richie, it was wonderful to meet you. Steve I've located another "gem in a strip mall." Folks who have read my many hospitality posts and past magazine columns know that I strongly feel that some of the strongest, quality (read: reliable) eateries are found side-by-side with retail shops in busy shopping centers. Consider Taste of Italy Ristorante & Pizzeria (57 Route 46 East, Hackettstown, New Jersey, 908-850-1343, www.tasteofitaly46.com). This is great food courtesy of Alex Espinosa's kitchen, and cordial service from Karen Gomez. Lucille opted for an eggplant parmigiana entree with angel hair pasta ($12.95) - after Karen assured her the eggplant was sliced thin. She was right on the money.
Taste of Italy Ristorante & Pizzeria is open seven days a week, as early as 10:00 a.m. Monday - Saturday.
Great job, Alex and Karen! It was very nice to meet you. Steve This is a pretty good meatball sub. This is a pretty big meatball sub. "Now, you want it plain, right - no cheese or parmigiana style?" asks Paige Walsh, the very friendly counter person taking my order. "Nope," I respond, "plain." "Okay, just checking," she says with a laugh. "Sometimes people order and ask, 'Where's the cheese?' So now I ask just to make sure." Got it, and again, I got a pretty darn good meatball sub ($6.95) at Palermo's Pizza (Morris Hills Shopping Center, 3045 Route 46 East, 973-917-3303) in Parsippany. There is also a Whippany location, which opened in 2016 (Pine Plaza Shopping Center, 831 Route 10 East, #31A, 973-887-0693, www.palermospizzanj.com). The Parsippany Palermo's opened a year later. Cihan Mansur and his brother, Esref, own both locations. Cihan runs things in Parsippany and Esref keeps an eye on things at the Whippany eatery. Again, the meatball sub - pretty substantial stuff (see below), in size and taste. Best of all, what you get here is cordial, friendly service. I feel that's what matters most of all.
And Paige, no doubt, will get your order right. Stop and say hello to her and Cihan..and don't forget to feast on some food. Steve Now, from the "Your breakfast looks super on your plate department," here's an introduction to The Corner Grill (114 Ridge Road, North Arlington, 201-772-5631). Take a peek at the platters Lucille and me shared during a recent late morning visit. On the top is her mozzarella cheese omelet with home fries and multigrain toast ($6.25), and on the bottom my two eggs served sunnyside up with home fries as well, but I opting for wheat toast ($4.50). The folks at The Corner Grill are a nice team. Nancy seated us, and Sara was our server inside the tiny, spotless eatery that has 40 table seats and four barstool seats. There is also in-season outdoor dining on busy Ridge Road. The below saying could in fact be The Corner Grill motto. The Corner Grill is open Tuesday - Sunday and closed Monday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When in Pine Brook, please visit the nice folks at Seven Scoops & Sips (321 Changebridge Road, 917-846-5338, www.sevenscoopsnj.com). Anne and Ryan Olohan are the owners of the three-week-old ice cream and coffee shop, and it's a extremely comfortable and friendly stop. Blaine Pascal served us during our visit, we selecting small cups of Moose Tracks and pistachio ice cream ($2.70). The words "comfortable" and "friendly" are so apropos for this happy spot. These folks and their business are the types we love to support.
We'll certainly visit again, and soon. Steve "Oh, go for it!" says Lexie, a server for 2 1/2 months at Tuscany Villa Ristorante (Tuscany Village Plaza, 223 Changebridge Road, Montville, New Jersey, 973-334-1400, www.tuscanyvillaristorante.com), when I mention to her that a future visit to enjoy entrees is a definite. "That's the thing I like best about working here. I love the food - and the entrees are excellent!" I'll take her word for it, because the pizza the Sears family had on a post-Mass Sunday evening was pretty darn good. Also, we thank Lexie for her kindness and professionalism during a busy, late weekend dining rush. She did a fine job.
There are, of course, many menu options here, standard for a pizzeria ristorante, but there are a few things that caught my eye further when closely examining the menu: dinner specials for $14.95, and seafood combos for $17.95 (including salad or soup and choice of pasta). It appears the 15 mile drive from Bloomfield is going to be happening, soon. Also, Tuscany Villa Ristorante is a BYOB. Pair your favorite wine with your pizza or entree of choice and make it a wonderful evening. So, stop in a see Lexie and the rest of the Tuscany Villa Ristorante team.
Great job, folks! Steve I first met Michael Dey, owner of Weenies Hot Dogs (45 1/2 Broadway, Denville, 973-957-0614, www.weenieshotdogs.com) in the fall of 2016, when he was seated in a New Jersey diner at 5:00 a.m. I had seen a truck in the parking lot outside bearing the "Weenies" name, he and I got to talking, and I told him I would soon visit his new establishment. "Soon" came almost three years later, but I guess good things are well worth waiting for. .The Weenies slogan is "Every day has its dog," and there are enough unique menu options should you decide to "live" the words. I opted for the Pulled Pork Dog ($4.35), but truth be told I was perusing the menu adorning the wall behind the counter with much indecision. Pictured below is my selection, and it didn't remain this good looking for long. The "before" and "during" shots contrast greatly, which leads to "done," and upon finishing wanting another one, albeit a different choice, such as (for me) the Chuckie Dog (with chopped burger, grilled onion, and cheese). There are a few other nice things about Weenies as well. The folks behind the counter are super nice, and Weenies is open and delivers daily up until 3:00 a.m. No longer do the very early morning munchies have to be satisfied by whatever your refrigerator or pantry offer. You can call Weenies.
Good stuff. Steve |
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January 2023
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